Medical-psychological expert reports in torture cases
We prepare medical-psychological expert reports, always ensuring the psycho-legal accompaniment of the affected persons.
We are specialists in the application of the Istanbul Protocol, the international manual for the legal and forensic documentation of alleged cases of ill-treatment or torture.
What are expert reports?
We accompany people to regain control of their lives and stand up for the truth of their stories.
Medical-psychological expert reports are technical tools that make it possible to document, from a clinical and forensic approach, the physical and psychological consequences of violence, ill-treatment or torture.
Since our foundation, Centro Sira has provided comprehensive support to more than 1,000 people affected by different forms of violence. Our work seeks to guarantee strategic and psycho-legal investigation mechanisms in the face of human rights violations, strengthening the coping and resilience processes of the victims.
We accompany people to regain control of their lives and stand up for the truth of their stories.
In which cases are expert reports used
Medico-psychological expert reports are used in contexts where there is a need for rigorous documentation of the physical and psychological consequences of violence, ill-treatment or torture, both at the individual and collective level.
We collaborate with legal teams and human rights organisations in the elaboration of expert opinions related to:
- Criminal prosecutions and judicial proceedings.
- Cases of strategic human rights litigation.
- Applications for international protection and asylum.
- Complaints of institutional violence or ill-treatment.
- Assessment of individual and collective harm in contexts of systematic violence or torturing environments.
Who the service is for
The medical-psychological expert reports are aimed at individuals, professionals and organisations that require a rigorous assessment of the physical and psychological damage resulting from situations of violence, ill-treatment or torture.
This service is particularly aimed at:
- Victims of institutional violence, torture or ill-treatment involved in judicial or administrative proceedings.
- Legal teams and lawyers working in human rights advocacy and strategic litigation.
- Social organisations and human rights entities that accompany victims in processes of denunciation, international protection or reparation.
- Institutions and groups requesting assessments of individual or collective harm in contexts of systematic violence.
Criminal proceedings
Strategic and criminal litigation for cases related to:
1. Historical memory
Since 2017, the Sira Center has conducted expert assessments of 26 cases of torture during the Franco dictatorship and the Transition, using the Istanbul Protocol.
2. Monographic reports
We have participated in a study that produced more than 200 Istanbul Protocols that trace the history of repression and torture in the Basque Country.
3. Social Rights
Documentation of the suffering resulting from the violation of the right to housing and other social rights.
4. Deprivation of liberty
Cases of mistreatment and torture in prisons, juvenile centers, CIEs or socio-health internment centers.
5. Right to protest
Episodes of mistreatment and torture during the exercise of the protest.
6. Border Violence
Documentation of ill-treatment and torture in migrant detention spaces, border crossings or "hot returns".
7. Property claims
Advice on reparation measures, including property claims.
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